need help with Emerald ECU issue

[rzempel]

I'm tuning my performance built 2.0l Zetec, with Emerald K3 ECU, and have run into a problem that I can't figure out. When it's warm, it starts, idles, and runs great. But, when it's cold it will not start unless I reload the configuration file and re-calibrate the throttle sensor. That, to me, makes no sense whatsoever, so I must be missing something simple.

 

Does anyone have an idea what's going on?

 

Randall

[JohnCh]

Was the K3 working fine before, or is this the first time you've used it?

 

-John

[rzempel]

It's new.

[JohnCh]

When you run into that condition is the original map still in the ECU’s memory, or is it gone? Have you checked what the setting is in the TPS before you recalibrate? If the map is gone or the TPS is down to zero (pretty sure that is the default) after the car has sat for a while, then it sounds like a hardware problem. The ECU shouldn’t lose what’s in memory even if it is without power for a while.

 

Someone here may have the answer, but in the interim, I'd email Emerald at EmeraldM3D@aol.com. It’s already Friday night in the UK, but Karl has a tendency to work nights and weekends, so you still might hear back before next week.

 

-John

[rzempel]

The map appears to be still in memory, with the set values. We've been emailing Dave at Emerald, he seems to think we just have a problem with initial injector pules (though, we've gone from zero to huge values with no change). Leoni responded to our last emil, saying Dave had gone for the weekend, and didn't refer us to Karl. So I suspect Karl is gone, too.

[JohnCh]

Seems odd that a mapping error which results in a non-start event, could be rectified by reloading the same map and/or recalibrating the TPS. Are you sure nothing else is going on? When the engine is cold, have you tried reloading the map and recalibrating the TPS before you first try to start it?

 

If you want to compare you settings to other maps, there is a library here. Scroll down to the Ford section for stock and modified zetecs.

 

-John

[rzempel]

Yes. We've tried every permutation we can think of. Once it starts, it runs great and is fully mapped. Hot starts aren't a problem. And, we aren't having to reload the maps, it's the configuration file that does the trick--most times. This afternoon, even reloading the config file didn't help.

[BusaNostra]

I'm tuning my performance built 2.0l Zetec, with Emerald K3 ECU, and have run into a problem that I can't figure out. When it's warm, it starts, idles, and runs great. But, when it's cold it will not start unless I reload the configuration file and re-calibrate the throttle sensor. That, to me, makes no sense whatsoever, so I must be missing something simple.

 

Does anyone have an idea what's going on?

 

Randall

 

Go here http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi

Almost everyone using this standalone ecu. You certainly will get help.

[JohnCh]

Sorry, for some reason I kept reading config file as map (the old M3D map files ended in .fig). Sounds like that isn't consistent anymore either. I wonder if a sensor is acting up? The TPS is tougher to diagnose, but you could try messing with the values for the air and coolant sensors to see if that makes a difference.

 

WSCC is a good suggestion. Lots of folks there use the Emerald. Same is true on BlatChat, but you need to join the UK Lotus 7 club in order to post.

 

-John